Orange Bowl Review

Orange Bowl ReviewI was sitting around Sunday afternoon thinking about the last two bowl games and debating in my head which win was better.

Both were over the nation's number seven team and both were over two teams that have been in the national title hunt recently. Both were big statements about where Clemson is in the national picture. Both were pretty dominating performances and should have been worse than the scoreboard indicated.

The LSU win was more dramatic with the walk-off win. It was against an SEC team. It was against a ton of NFL prospects.

The OSU win was a BCS win. It gave Urban Meyer only his second loss as a Buckeye.

In the end, I am not sure which was better and more fulfilling, but it is a fun debate.

What we witnessed Friday night was one of the greatest victories in school history. It meant Clemson is the only team in the nation to beat a top 10 team in a bowl game each of the last two years. The win was Clemson’s fifth win over a top 10 team in the last three years. Clemson, Alabama and Baylor are the only teams in the nation to beat a top 10 team each of the last three years.

I was watching the game with Ryan and after the second series of the game I told him, "Clemson is the better team. Clemson is better at every position except safety, offensive line and running back."

Much like the LSU game, it took a ton of Tiger mistakes to let Ohio State back into the game.

I thought the game plans on both sides of the ball were very sound. Ohio State had three new starters in the secondary, so Chad MorrisChad MorrisOffensive Coordinator / QBsView Full Profile pounded the Buckeyes on the perimeter. The Tigers continued to pressure Ohio State on the outside.

Brent VenablesBrent VenablesDefensive Coordinator / LinebackersView Full Profile drew up a masterpiece on defense also. He took away the inside running game and held Carlos Hyde under his average. The Tigers also did a great job of keeping Braxton Miller in the pocket and took away his running ability. If the safeties had not lost coverage several times, this one could have been a blowout.

The offensive star was Sammy WatkinsSammy WatkinsJr. Wide Receiver#2 6-1, 205Fort Myers, FLView Full Profile, who established Clemson and Orange Bowl records for receptions and reception yards in a game with 16 catches for 227 yards and two scores. He held the previous Clemson records for catches (14) and reception yards (202) in a game.

Watkins also tied the Clemson record for touchdown receptions in a career. He finished with 27, the same amount DeAndre HopkinsDeAndre HopkinsWide Receiver (2010 - 2012)#6 6-2, 205Central, SCView Full Profile. Watkins set the Clemson single season and career reception marks. He finished the season with 101 catches, 13 more than Aaron Kelly had in 2007. He finished his career with 240 receptions, eight more than Kelly had between 2005-08. Watkins also set the Clemson single season record for receiving yardage. He finished with 1464, breaking the record of 1405 set by Hopkins last year.

Tajh BoydTajh BoydRS Sr. Quarterback#10 6-1, 225Hampton, VAView Full Profile had a brilliant game if you take away two bad decisions that led to interceptions. Boyd scored the first touchdown of the game on a 48-yard touchdown run that was the longest run of his career.

Boyd became the first quarterback in ACC history to have three seasons of at least 30 touchdown passes when he connected with Watkins on a 34-yard scoring pass in the first half. It was his 30th touchdown pass of the year. He finished the night with a Clemson bowl record of five touchdown passes and finished with 34 for the season. Boyd finished his career with an ACC record of 107 touchdown passes and 133 rushing and passing touchdowns, which is another ACC record.

He won his 32nd game, tying the school record for wins in a career by a starting QB. He and Rodney Williams (1985-88) had 32. This was also Boyd's eighth win over a top 25 team, which also sets a school record.

Boyd threw for 378 yards, his 18th career 300-yard passing game. He tied the ACC record for 300-yard games in a career. Philip Rivers also had 18 for NC State from 2000-03.

I was glad to see Rod McDowell have a big night. McDowell finished with 69 yards rushing to go over the 1000-yard mark. He finished with 1023 yards for the season. That gives Clemson a 1000-yard rusher, 1000-yard receiver and a 3000-yard passer in the same season for the third straight year.

Martavis BryantMartavis BryantJr. Wide Receiver#1 6-5, 200Calhoun Falls, SCView Full Profile finished his Clemson career with a great night. The junior, who is foregoing his senior season, had two touchdown receptions, including a brilliant second effort.

Clemson's defense held Ohio State to two of 13 on third downs and forced four Buckeye turnovers.

So the Tigers had enough mistakes to lose but overcame them with a dominating performance. Clemson finished the season with 11 wins for the second consecutive year, the only time in school history Clemson has won at least 11 games in consecutive seasons. This victory was the 38th for the 2013 seniors. That’s the most by a senior class since the 1991 group won 39.

The win was Dabo SwinneyDabo SwinneyHead CoachView Full Profile’s 10th win over a top 25 team, and it moves him past Frank Howard into third place on the Clemson coaching list. Danny FordDanny FordFormer Head CoachView Full Profile had the most with 20 and Tommy BowdenTommy BowdenHead CoachView Full Profile had 13. Swinney has now beaten Auburn, Florida State, LSU and Ohio State in the last three seasons. The Tigers are 9-3 against top 11 teams in their last 12 attempts.

Yes, Friday night was a historical victory. It was a terrific way to end a season and the career of many Tiger greats. Hopefully it is yet another sign of a building powerhouse.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer ListWe have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:

If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.

If you would like to add someone to the list please email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com

*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list.